Generative AI Will Reshape Shipping, Windward CEO Says

At the 17th Annual Capital Link Shipping & Marine Services Forum during London International Shipping Week, Windward’s Co‑Founder and CEO, Ami Daniel, delivered a bold forecast about the immediate impact of generative AI on maritime decision‑making.

“In the next 12 to 18 months, you’ll see generative AI change how people analyze and make decisions. In my view, everybody will be a PhD-level analyst with the best data in the world”, said Daniel.

The comment opened a wide‑ranging panel titled “Smart Shipping is Already Here – AI & Digitalization at Sea,” which examined how artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and automation are being layered on decades‑old shipping processes. 

Panellists and delegates emphasised that the sector already generates enormous volumes of raw telemetry, more than 50,000 vessels broadcasting position and operational details, so the barrier has never been collection but interpretation and actionable insight.

Daniel argued that new, lower‑cost, high‑bandwidth satellite connectivity combined with cloud platforms is enabling continuous ship‑to‑shore data flows, creating the conditions for generative AI to translate large datasets into clear, human‑readable guidance. 

“Everybody’s not technical, but everybody can find English, which is now becoming the language of engineering versus Python or Java,” he said, noting how natural‑language interfaces lower the access barrier to complex analytics.

Windward’s AI‑Automated Document Validation was cited as an instance that can verify bills of lading and other trade paperwork in “30 to 60 seconds, circumventing current processes of two to three days,” a speed change that shortens transaction cycles and reduces operational friction. 

Daniel framed AI as amplifying the value of asking the right questions. “The difference between ‘good,’ and ‘very good’ operators and traders and ‘very bad’ ones would be the ability to ask questions,” he said.

Daniel also gave an assessment of data reality and competitive advantage. 

“There’s your data, there’s data you buy from third parties, and there’s public data. You probably need to combine all three to win, because nobody has all the data they need,” he said. “Your complete data becomes your advantage”.

The panel discussion flagged adoption as the central hurdle. An abundance of specialised AI vendors exists, yet organisational transformation lags. Daniel warned that leadership must own change. 

“If you give it to your people to figure it out, they’re not going to transform your company. The buck stops with you”

The forum presented a clear takeaway. Generative AI can collapse decision cycles from days to minutes, democratise access to complex datasets and materially improve operational and commercial performance, provided shipping leaders commit to data strategy, integration and measured adoption. 

With connectivity, data scale and AI capabilities converging, the industry faces a near‑term opportunity to convert insight into competitive advantage.

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